Steelers' Omar Khan And Mike McCarthy Reveal The Truth About Top-30 Visits Ahead Of 2026 NFL Draft

The Pittsburgh Steelers had a lot of people curious with their top-30 visits. Typically when top-30 visits come out pre-draft, it gives fans and pundits an idea of which direction the brass is looking. Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy have been closed-lipped when talking about this draft as it's such a big one for the organization, with 12 picks in their pocket, all eyes are on the Black and Gold to see what they are going to do when they are picking on the clock 21st overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

The biggest takeaway from the top-30 visits is the sheer amount of attention the receivers (6) and defensive backs (7) got. With 13 of the 30 used on them, it's safe to say the Steelers are looking at those positions heavily. Some notable names were left off the top-30 visits and Khan and McCarthy were asked about that on Monday when they spoke to the media.

Khan made it clear that the team is not treating the top-30 visits as a strict draft blueprint, emphasizing that the picks will not necessarily come from that group alone. His comments suggested that some of the visits are about information gathering, comfort, and background work rather than direct targeting. That approach keeps the Steelers draft plans flexible, especially with so many picks to work with and multiple roster needs still in play.

"You know what, I am not sure Gerry [Dulac], some of that is just coincidence or comfort," Khan said while speaking about the top-30 visits. "I wouldn’t say that our pick would have to be someone who was in for a top-30 visit."

McCarthy echoed that sentiment, explaining that top 30 visits are used in different ways depending on the situation, including medical evaluations and deeper prospect interviews. 

He stressed that every organization uses them differently and that the Steelers are focused on maximizing information rather than narrowing their board too tightly. 

"Yeah, to be honest with you, I have seen the 30 visits and it has been utilized three different ways," McCarthy said. "The way we utilized it here was awesome because at the end of the day, you want to have information on every prospect. There are different reasons to bring players in. I can’t speak to the past, but you know we are not just bringing in the guys we want to draft. I have been at three places and that’s never the absolute. Sometimes there are medical questions and stuff involved for why you bring someone in."

Together, their comments reinforce that while the visits offer clues, Pittsburgh is keeping its true draft intentions close to the vest heading into a pivotal weekend.

Steelers' Omar Khan Shuts Down Smokescreen Rumors

It’s no secret that this time of year, rumors of teams using smokescreens are rampant, and as they should be. In fact, it would be silly for Khan, McCarthy, and other important decision-makers across the league not to be doing so.

The draft is just as much chess as it is scouting players, and sometimes making teams think you are going to do something else is the exact edge you need. Khan shut down the noise about the smokescreen possibilities rather quickly, saying no.

"The guys who are in here were in here for a reason," Khan said. "Smokescreen was not one of them, but good question though."

While the Steelers wait to find out about Aaron Rodgers’ pending decision, the comments from Khan and McCarthy on Monday will fuel debate heading into Thursday when the draft kicks off in Pittsburgh.

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